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Occasional and Respite Child Care

A flexible and inclusive short-term child care service 

This service aims to build resilience in children and support the well-being of parents/guardians by providing short-term, inclusive child care by qualified Early Childhood Educators in a safe and welcoming space. During a session, children will enjoy age-appropriate games, connect with peers through play and social experiences, listen to stories, sing songs and much more.  

Open to:

Children and infants ages eight months up to 12 years of age who are part of a military or veteran family. Priority will be given to families who are experiencing additional stressors due to the military lifestyle, including, but not limited to:  

  • During an absence 
    Whether you are experiencing a deployment, training or IR, have some time for self-care, errands, or personal appointments. 

  • During relocation 
    Families can access the service as they pack/unpack, get settled, search for employment, meet with the H&R MFRC Career & Employment Counsellor and seek medical or mental health support.  

  • During transitions 
    Have you recently joined or released from the military? Use this service to attend appointments or meet with our team.  

Month of the Military Child

This April, during the Month of the Military Child, families can register for Occasional and Respite Child Care to help foster relationships and friendships with other children from military families! Sign up your little ones for up to two sessions per week! If you've never used this service but would like to know more, please email Hannah at [email protected] to find out more.

Registration and Schedule

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm in Shearwater

Thursday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm in Halifax

Saturdays: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (Alternating between Halifax and Shearwater sites)
*Schedule is subject to change 

Families can register from 48 hours prior, up to 30 days before their session. Families who are new to the service can call or email for intake with the Occasional and Respite Child Care AdministratorOnce completed, register online: 


This service is not provincially licensed; it follows provincial requirements for unlicensed child careprohibiting the number of enrolled children to six per session. To ensure fair and reasonable access, families must register in advance. Pre-booking is limited to a maximum of two sessions/week per family. 
 

Should a family wish to cancel, they must do so at least 24 hours before the session for a refundThe H&R MFRC reserves the right to cancel this service at any time. Should this occur, families affected will be contacted and receive a full refund. 

Fees

Each four-hour session is $20.00 per child, to a maximum of $60.00 per family.

If payment is a barrier, families are encouraged to work with our team for flexible options. Payment in full is required at the time of booking.

Payments are made using a secure, third-party online administrator. 

The service is not funded provincially or nationally, program fees offset some of the operating costs, but it is made affordable and sustainable through generous donations from local organizations and national foundationsSpecial thanks to the RBC Foundation whose funding has covered a large portion of the costs associated with implementing and re-vamping this high-quality, preventative, and valuable service.

Please review our Family Handbook prior to attending the program.